Omoplata Sweep
Chain finish · Closed Guard
Turns a failed omoplata into a sweep: from closed guard bottom with the omoplata on, you end in side control on top. The moment comes when the opponent stays down and rolls forward over his trapped shoulder to escape the lock. Keep the arm pinned under your legs and controlled at the elbow, tuck your head to the outside and roll with him; as he lands on his back, swing the trapping leg up to the ceiling and kick it down so the momentum sits you up. Come up on the same side as the trapped arm and pin him at once so he cannot roll a second time. If he turns in to face you, go back to the omoplata; if he pulls the arm free, take the kimura.
How to do it
- From the omoplata, feel them roll forward over the trapped shoulder to escape.
- Keep the arm trapped under your legs and roll with them, head tucked to the outside, controlling the trapped arm at the elbow.
- As they land on their back, straighten the trapping leg to the ceiling and kick it down: the swing flattens them and sits you up.
- Swing your legs over and come up into side control on the same side as the trapped arm.
- Post a hand and settle your weight on them at once so they cannot roll a second time, keep holding the arm, and only then look for the finish.
Key details
- The roll is their escape and your sweep at the same time.
- Keep the arm trapped under your legs through the whole roll, controlling it at the elbow.
- Come up on the same side as the trapped arm.
- Straighten the trapping leg to the ceiling and kick it down: the swing flattens them and sits you up.
- Post a hand and put your weight on them at once so they cannot roll a second time.
- If you want the finish instead of the sweep: as they start to roll, post your free hand, drive your hip into their hip and walk your feet back — they stay on their side with the arm locked, a tighter omoplata.
Common mistakes
- Letting go of the arm during the roll. — They land free and square up to you. — Keep the legs heavy on the arm until they are on their back.
- Staying on your back. — They end up on top of you in your guard. — Sit up as they roll and swing your legs over.
- Chasing the shoulder lock. — You lose both the lock and the position. — Take the top position first, then finish from there.
How to drill it
Omoplata, partner rolls, you follow to side control, 6 reps each side.
What comes next
Where it comes from